55Great spot for the dogs to sniff around and explore. It had just rained so the ground was damp, but the dogs didn't mind! Didn't have any issues with bugs.Annie H.
Annie H.
August 2023
Great spot for the dogs to sniff around and explore. It had just rained so the ground was damp, but the dogs didn't mind! Didn't have any issues with bugs.
Riverside - 16 acre mix of fields/woods/trails on the French Broad River | Sniffspot
55This place was great ! Although if you use just the regular maps on your phone it will take you to the marathon gas station so just use google maps ! Leslie M.
Leslie M.
August 2023
This place was great ! Although if you use just the regular maps on your phone it will take you to the marathon gas station so just use google maps !
Riverside - 16 acre mix of fields/woods/trails on the French Broad River | Sniffspot
55An excellent spot for dogs and people with great water access and ample clear ground for the dogs to run and play. A flatbed work truck did drive briefly onto the site while we were there, but didn't stick around. I think they were lost lol
The entrance is a bit tricky to spot from the road, which is a highway. I'll post photos that should help. Melissa K.
Melissa K.
September 2023
An excellent spot for dogs and people with great water access and ample clear ground for the dogs to run and play. A flatbed work truck did drive briefly onto the site while we were there, but didn't stick around. I think they were lost lol
The entrance is a bit tricky to spot from the road, which is a highway. I'll post photos that should help.
Riverside - 16 acre mix of fields/woods/trails on the French Broad River | Sniffspot
55Such a great spot! Incredibly peaceful meadowy area with creek access. It was a big hit with both our dogs. I only booked it for 1.5 hrs but you can definitely enjoy a longer stay. Will definitely be coming back if I’m in the area.Jessica T.
Jessica T.
October 2023
Such a great spot! Incredibly peaceful meadowy area with creek access. It was a big hit with both our dogs. I only booked it for 1.5 hrs but you can definitely enjoy a longer stay. Will definitely be coming back if I’m in the area.
Riverside - 16 acre mix of fields/woods/trails on the French Broad River | Sniffspot
55What a beautiful and quiet spot. It was perfect for my dog. He had a great time swimming, chewing sticks and exploring the area. We will definitely be back. As others have said- it is muddy just right beside the river and there may be mosquitos around, so just prepare!Jenny G.
Jenny G.
October 2023
What a beautiful and quiet spot. It was perfect for my dog. He had a great time swimming, chewing sticks and exploring the area. We will definitely be back. As others have said- it is muddy just right beside the river and there may be mosquitos around, so just prepare!
Riverside - 16 acre mix of fields/woods/trails on the French Broad River | Sniffspot
55Awesome place!! Was a little hard to find. GPS (apple) took us to the gas station about 1/2 a mile past it so we had to just do our best to figure where the pin actually way on the map. But it was totally worth it! Awesome place to get into the River, lots of area for the pups to run and play. We will defiantly be back! Kala R.
Kala R.
October 2023
Awesome place!! Was a little hard to find. GPS (apple) took us to the gas station about 1/2 a mile past it so we had to just do our best to figure where the pin actually way on the map. But it was totally worth it! Awesome place to get into the River, lots of area for the pups to run and play. We will defiantly be back!
Riverside - 16 acre mix of fields/woods/trails on the French Broad River | Sniffspot
55The property was so nice, and the owner briefly came by just to say hi before moving on to his projects elsewhere. Dogs had a great time. Scenery was gorgeous Jesse B.
Jesse B.
October 2023
The property was so nice, and the owner briefly came by just to say hi before moving on to his projects elsewhere. Dogs had a great time. Scenery was gorgeous
Riverside - 16 acre mix of fields/woods/trails on the French Broad River | Sniffspot
55Google maps takes you opposite side of Hwy, read directions once you book. Key code didn’t work for gate but managed to get around no problem.
Great spot to run our reactive pup. She enjoyed many zoomies, big sticks, and new river smells!
We will def be back. Jes M.
Jes M.
October 2023
Google maps takes you opposite side of Hwy, read directions once you book. Key code didn’t work for gate but managed to get around no problem.
Great spot to run our reactive pup. She enjoyed many zoomies, big sticks, and new river smells!
We will def be back.
Riverside - 16 acre mix of fields/woods/trails on the French Broad River | Sniffspot
55David your Sniffspot. It’s awesome! Beautiful! The “girls” loved it. Dot could have stayed for hours! Thanks for the great space. I will be a regular for sure. alan h.
alan h.
November 2023
David your Sniffspot. It’s awesome! Beautiful! The “girls” loved it. Dot could have stayed for hours! Thanks for the great space. I will be a regular for sure.
Riverside - 16 acre mix of fields/woods/trails on the French Broad River | Sniffspot
55Awesome spot! The walking trails are nicely cleared and easy to find. Lots of new smells for my pup, who is now throughly exhausted. Highly recommend!Christene L.
Christene L.
November 2023
Awesome spot! The walking trails are nicely cleared and easy to find. Lots of new smells for my pup, who is now throughly exhausted. Highly recommend!
Riverside - 16 acre mix of fields/woods/trails on the French Broad River | Sniffspot
55It is our favorite spot! The drive is beautiful, and there's plenty of room to run and places to explore. I've run into someone out there chopping wood, who had his dog with him, but he put the dog in the truck. It is remote, and cannot be seen from the road, however. I take bear spray.Susan W.
Susan W.
November 2023
It is our favorite spot! The drive is beautiful, and there's plenty of room to run and places to explore. I've run into someone out there chopping wood, who had his dog with him, but he put the dog in the truck. It is remote, and cannot be seen from the road, however. I take bear spray.
Riverside - 16 acre mix of fields/woods/trails on the French Broad River | Sniffspot
55This is one of my favorite sniff spots! So much room for activities and felt far enough away from the road to be safe without a fence. We had a great time playing here! Jordan E.
Jordan E.
November 2023
This is one of my favorite sniff spots! So much room for activities and felt far enough away from the road to be safe without a fence. We had a great time playing here!
Riverside - 16 acre mix of fields/woods/trails on the French Broad River | Sniffspot
55We loved this spot for our collie. He needed more stimulation than just a fenced in yard/park since he’s by himself, and this provides that. Lots of woods and creeks to explore, and it’s easy to find. The atmosphere is peaceful and the terrain is pretty flat so you don’t have to worry about you or your dogs when it comes to twisting an ankle. I will definitely be back! Christen O.
Christen O.
November 2023
We loved this spot for our collie. He needed more stimulation than just a fenced in yard/park since he’s by himself, and this provides that. Lots of woods and creeks to explore, and it’s easy to find. The atmosphere is peaceful and the terrain is pretty flat so you don’t have to worry about you or your dogs when it comes to twisting an ankle. I will definitely be back!
Riverside - 16 acre mix of fields/woods/trails on the French Broad River | Sniffspot
55This is our second time and loved it again! Plenty of room to run and play with natural barriers (but no fencing which was totally fine by us)!Maggie P.
Maggie P.
November 2023
This is our second time and loved it again! Plenty of room to run and play with natural barriers (but no fencing which was totally fine by us)!
Riverside - 16 acre mix of fields/woods/trails on the French Broad River | Sniffspot
55100% dog approved :). It is like an adventure park for dogs. Joey could run like the wind, climbing up and down the river bank. We even practiced recalls and other games. Thanks David. Barbara T.
Barbara T.
November 2023
100% dog approved :). It is like an adventure park for dogs. Joey could run like the wind, climbing up and down the river bank. We even practiced recalls and other games. Thanks David.
Riverside - 16 acre mix of fields/woods/trails on the French Broad River | Sniffspot
55Very unique spot! So much room to safely roam around plus access to the French Broad. My 3 heelers demand that we go back soon! Adrienne R.
Adrienne R.
December 2023
Very unique spot! So much room to safely roam around plus access to the French Broad. My 3 heelers demand that we go back soon!
How do Pisgah Forest's private dog hiking trails work?
Private rentals by the hour
Our hosts are locals that are renting their yards and private land to dog owners
Trust and safety first
Spots are designed for safety and both hosts and guests are reviewed after each visit
Designed for private play
Only the people and dogs in your booking are allowed in the spot during your visit
Reactive dogs welcome
Many of the spots we list are designed with sensitive dogs in mind
Become a Sniffpass holder!
Get discounts on all bookings at all spots by buying monthly credits! Learn more!
FAQ about our Pisgah Forest dog hiking trails
Are dog hiking trails safe?
While public dog parks have a number of safety issues, such as aggressive dogs, inattentive owners, disease transmission and general cleanliness, Sniffspot dog parks are much safer than a city or county park. With a Sniffspot off-leash area all bookings are private for just you and dogs you bring with you and we require all dogs to be vaccinated (or have equivalent titers). All Sniffspot locations are vetted and reviewed by guests so you can find the perfect place for you and your dog. 93% of reviews on Sniffspot visits are 5 stars. Our hiking trails tend to be outside the city, which lends to more privacy, but it is also important to follow typical hiking safety precautions, such as potentially having trail maps.
How can I find dog hiking trails in Pisgah Forest?
How do I know if a dog hiking trail works for my dog?
Sniffspot provides the tools to find the ideal spot. Start by applying basic filters, such as fencing 6 feet tall and distractions, to find a dog park with trails that works for your dog. You can also filter by size if you are looking for a certain acre park, an expansive off-leash dog park. If your dog doesn't have good recall, you can visit one of our fully fenced dog hiking trails. If your dog is reactive to other dogs, you can visit one of our dog hiking trails where there are no dogs audible or visible nearby. Since you are looking for trails, make sure to check photos to see if it the spot has flat trails or gnarly trails. You can also browse by specific amenities, if you are looking for a view or a beach, for instance, or other activities or fun features. You can check whether the spot has off or on street parking, the regular park hours, whether it has paved trails or a modern restroom.
What are the requirements to bring my dog to a Sniffspot dog hiking trail?
In order to hike the trails, we require that all dogs have basic vaccinations or equivalent titers. We do not permit dogs with a bite history. We require that guests sign our waiver and agree to follow our safety rules.
Will there be other dogs at the Sniffspot hiking trail at the same time as me?
Sniffspot only allows one booking at a time and any host dogs are required to be kept away from the spot during visits. We also enforce 30 min time buffers between bookings.
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